The 57th Human Rights Sessions of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council began in Geneva, Switzerland. Presenting its report on Syria to the Council, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria devoted a large space to Turkey's recent attacks. 

 

The report emphasized that there have been gross human rights violations, civilians have been targeted, and military operations and attacks on Kurdish areas have intensified, especially in areas under Turkish control. These attacks have destroyed infrastructure in the region, leaving the local population in dire straits, while arbitrary detentions, torture and looting are also common.

 

'ATTACKS CAUSED THE DEATH OF CIVILIANS'

 

According to the report, increased attacks by Turkish-backed groups in Kurdish-majority areas between January and June 2023 caused civilian casualties and posed a serious security threat. The UN commission stressed that such violations contravene international law and further deepen instability in the region. The report also emphasizes that the number of civilians displaced as a result of these attacks has increased dramatically.

 

'CONTRARY TO INTERNATIONAL LAW'

 

Noting that Turkish forces have carried out several operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (QSD) in northeastern Syria, the commission said it examined Turkish airstrikes last winter that targeted the turbines of a power plant in Swediyah, Hasakah, and several medical buildings. The report stated that as a result of strikes, more than one million people have been cut off from access to water, fuel and other basic services and these actions are in violation of international law. The report emphasized the targeting of ambulances in May is a violation of international humanitarian law.

 

'CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY ARE BEING COMMITTED'

 

Making a statement on the report at the UN office in Geneva, the Commission called on everyone to play their part to end the violence in Syria.  Commission President Paulo Pinheiro drew attention to the recent clashes in northern and eastern Syria between the Kurdish-led QSD and tribes supported by Iran and the Syrian regime, Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias, particularly around Deirazor, which he said had triggered a new wave of hostilities.

 

DETENTION PRACTICES IN SYRIA

 

Noting that brutal detention practices continue across Syria and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the commission said that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTŞ) and some SNA groups have documented the use of brutal torture methods used by the government in their own detention facilities.

 

With the economic crisis and security situation in Syria worsening, the UN has called for a halt to these attacks and an urgent increase in humanitarian assistance. 

 

MA / Rüştü Demirkaya